Kishu Plum: Enjoying the World of Ume in Minabe, Japan's Top Plum Producing Region

The area from Minabe Town to Tanabe City in Hidaka District, Wakayama is Japan's largest plum producing region, responsible for approximately 20% of national plum production. "Kishu Nanko Plum" boasts nationwide brand prestige as the highest quality plum with soft flesh and small pits.

Plum Blossoms: White Spectacle in February

From early February to early March, the mountains of Minabe Town are covered with plum blossoms. The "Minabe Plum Grove" in the Inahara district of Minabe Town is counted among Japan's three great plum groves, where approximately 100,000 plum trees bloom spectacularly. During the plum festival period, many tourists visit.

Plum Factory Tours and Plum-Making Experiences

As a production center, facilities offering genuine plum factory tours and pickled plum-making experiences are abundant. The skilled work of craftspeople diligently producing ahead of Doyo no Ushi Day, and tasting the large, plump pickled plums, make for unforgettable experiences.

Kishu Plum Gourmet

Beyond pickled plums, there is an abundance of processed plum products: plum wine, plum jam, plum-based dressing, plum syrup, and more. The road station "Minabe Ume Shinkokan" carries many locally produced plum products. Dishes grilled over Kishu Binchotan charcoal, which pairs well with plum, are also a local specialty.

Access

About 40 minutes on foot or about 10 minutes by car from JR Kisei Main Line Minabe Station to Minabe Plum Grove. About 2 hours by car from Osaka.